Starbucks Fired Sex Offender. Now He’s Suing.
For eight years, Samuel Garza III worked at Starbucks in Clovis without any disciplinary actions. His colleagues respected him, the store named him “Employee of the Month,” and he was even tasked with training new employees, he says in court documents.
When his manager discovered he was a registered sex offender, the company fired him in June 2025. The allegations come in a lawsuit filed by Garza, claiming the company knew of his past and that he was protected by state law.
Garza filed the civil lawsuit Feb. 24 in Fresno County Superior Court. Judge Maria G. Diaz will hold a case management conference on June 23.
Discover more from Florida Action Committee (FAC)
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
This is one of my biggest fears. I have lived in the same house since 2003 and my neighbors have been great. But always afraid someone at work would find out. At one job, they stopped printing the magazines and let the private party ad sellers go, I was a team lead at the time. I found out that day they everyone had known for years. I would never had guessed that. God has blessed me in that. However, I stand next to anyone who works at a job makes it a career and then someone finds out and they can them. That is horrible. In fact, when I got that job I have now, been here over 8 years, they did a background check and everything and I flew through with flying colors. I think most only go back 7 years. SO IDK Sorry that happened to you Jack.
Same fear. The person who is friends with you today may suddenly not associate with you tomorrow.
Same thing happened to me but was not at Starbucks. I worked at a “Well known” company for years, but when a new manager took over, they took me in the back office and told me I was fired for being ONE minute over from my lunch break. I knew that was total B.S, then later another employee told me she overheard the manager trying to find a way to get rid of me while speaking with others in the break room.
I did not sue, I just moved on to something else until I ended up being disabled. But I stand with this person with their lawsuit and hope they win.
Was this in Florida? Because I know this state is a “right to work” state, which I never understood that terminology because it’s contradicting lol. But unfortunately Florida employers have a right to terminate without valid reason AS LONG as it’s not discriminatory (which in my opinion, criminal history should be discrimination when looking for work.)
No end
Yes sir, I have lived in Florida since 1979, when we moved here, I was 14. In my 20s when arrested, I was in my 40s when I got let go of that job. I am now in my 60s. My crime was way back in 1991. But still felling the affects all these years later on a never-ending registry that keeps on giving, but not in a good way.
By the way I am disabled now and cannot work.
Yea I know, I’ve read some of your other postings. I’m sorry brother. Stay strong and keep fighting the good fight. Just remember this life is temporary. We have a Kingdom prepared for us!
I hope he cleans Star Bucks clock. Shut them down.
More b.s coming out of Fresno county lol. Good, sue them!
This guys deserves much credit for dealing with this very difficult situation in a way worthy of respect. I do not condone his prior criminal actions, but once he accepted responsibility, he did everything that was required of him, and sounds like he was conducting himself appropriately after leaving prison.
I hope he wins and opens the door for more people to get their break at a successful reentry.
Good. I’m glad he is going after the company. The ability to fire someone, from any job, based on a status that a person is forced to register, and is made public needs to stop. Especially since he has proven himself worthy.